Revivals 
HovToHaveThem 

GGo.PHall 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/revivalshowtohavOOhall 


REVIVALS 


AND 

HOW   TO   HAVE  THEM. 


A  BRIKF  MANUAI,  OF   EVANGELISTIC   METHODS   FOR  AI.I. 
EVANGEIylCAI,  CHURCHES,  TO  WHICH  IS  APPENDED  A 
I<IST0F40  THEMES  FOR  REVIVAI.  SERMONS,  AND 
THE  TEXT  IN  FUI.I.  OF  A  NUMBER  OF  SHORT 
TRACTS  SUITABI^E  FOR  THE  BACKS  OF  AN- 
NOUNCEMENT CARDS,  TOGETHER 
WITH  SUGGESTIVE  FORMS 
FOR  TICKETS,  ETC. 


BY 

GKO.    F.  HAIvIv. 

Author  of Plain  Points  on  Personal  Purity,''''  "  Tabernacle  Talks''' 
"  The  Lord's  Exchequer,'"  etc.,  etc. 


[first  edition-s.ooo  copies.] 


PRICE,    SO  CEINJXS. 


1898. 

COLUMBIAN  BOOK  CO., 
DECATUR,  Ilvlv. 


Copyrighted.  1898,  by  GEO.  F.  HALL. 


"  Oh,  it  is  a  glorious  thing  to  rally  souls  to  the 
cross!" 

— Knowles  Shaw' s  last  words. 


oJ?  slJ^  si^ 

"  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature." 

— Mark  i6:is. 

s3^  oJ? 

"  Watch  thou  in  all  things,  endure  afflictions,  do  the 
work  of  an  evangelist,  make  full  proof  of  thy  min- 
istry." 

PauV  s  words  to  Timothy, 


3 


4 


REVIVALS 

AND 

HOW   XO    HAVB  TPHBM. 


A Revival  is  more  than  a  "protracted  meeting." 
According  to  Moody,  it  is  a  briiighig;  forth  from 
obscurity.    In  every  average  church  there 

What  ^  ,  .  ,  ,  . 

tho  are  latent  powers  enough,  if  quickened  into 
i^anl.  consecrated  action,  to  stir  a  city.  Hence  I 
like  the  word  revival.  It  suggests  an 
awakening,  a  shaking  up,  a  clarifying  of  spiritual 
atmospheres;  in  short,  vigor,  enterprise,  enthusiasm, 
victory  !  It  is  time  we  have  done  with  mere 
*  *  special  services  ' '  and  *  *  series  of  meetings. ' '  This 
sounds  too  insipid  for  wide-awake  communities. 
L,et  us  call  our  evangelistic  meetings  revivals^  with 
all  that  the  word  means,  and  there  will  be  less  danger 
of  stagnation  in  the  greatest  of  all  works — soul- 
saving. 

It  is  the  duty  of  every  individual  church  to  have 

5 


6 


REVIVALS. 


its  own  revival,  apart  from  all  union  efforts,  at  least 
once  a  year ;  that  is,  a  season  of  evangel- 
''^^^    istic  effort,  continuinar  from  two  to  twelve 

Duty  ^ 

of     weeks  as  circumstances  may  demand.   It  is 

Every 

Church,  useless  to  talk  about  having  a  *  *  continual 
revival, "  or  "  a  revival  all  the  year  round, ' ' 
as  some  pastors  do  who  are  fortunate  enough  to  have 
two  or  three  additions  every  Sunday.  A  revival 
necessarily  implies  stringing  up  to  concert  pitch,  and 
no  church  can  keep  itself  in  that  condition  all  the 
time.  But  the  church  that  would  not  die,  or  fall  into 
the  ruts,  must  have  its  annual  revival,  and  the  pas- 
tors who  oppose  this  theory  today  are  the  slow, 
tedious  fellows  whose  congregations  are  noted  for 
their  sleeping  qualities. 

The  best  time  for  a  revival  is  any  time,  if  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  are  ready  for  earnest,  united  work. 

The  temperature  of  the  weather  is  not  so 
The    important  as  the  temperature  of  the  people's 
Tull    hearts.    Some  of  the  most  successful  meet- 
^a**     ings  of  my  life  were  held  in  July  and 
Revival,  ^^g^gt,  when  the  thermometer  was  playing 
around  the  100°  mark  and  the  farmers  very 
busy  besides.  Again,  I  have  seen  great  revivals  con- 
ducted in  the  midst  of  political  campaigns,  or  at 
times  when  the  roads  were  almost  impassable,  or  other 
difficulties  presented  themselves.    A  good  revival  is 


REVIVALS. 


1 


not  a  question  of  the  weather,  or  of  social,  poHtical, 
or  financial  conditions,  but  of  careful  manage- 
ment and  earnest  work.  A  few  years  ago  a 
much-mentioned  Eastern  pastor,  who  never  held 
a  great  revival  himself,  and  whose  churches,  I 
am  told,  have  generally  decreased  in  mem- 
bership during  his  pastorate,  wrote  an  article 
condemning  what  he  termed  ' '  manufactured  reviv- 
als. ' '  Many  evangelists  were  delighted  when  Pres. 
H.  W.  Everest,  the  distinguished  theologian,  took 
up  his  pen  in  behalf  of  true  evangelism,  and  replied 
that  all  revivals  were  necessarily  manufactured, 
lyoyal  disciples  believe  that  God  is  always  ready  to 
save  souls,  and  that  "the  field  is  white  unto  the 
harvest."  All  that  is  necessary  is  for  men  to  bare 
their  arms  and  put  in  the  sickle. 

In  the  past  few  years  summer  ipeetings  have 
become  very  popular.    In  Iowa  I  was  the  first  evan- 
gelist of  the  church  with  which  I  am  con- 

Xents 

and     nected  to  hold  a  tent  meeting.    It  was  at 
Taber-         ^^^^      Qj-iswold,  in  1889,  whcre  the 

nacles.  '  ' 

membership  of  the  congregation  was  in- 
creased from  fifteen  to  one  hundred  and  forty- 
one  in  thirty-five  days.  It  was  an  experiment  that 
succeeded,  and  now  our  Iowa  State  Board  keeps 
a  half  dozen  tents  at  work  all  the  summer.  I  am 
also  a  sort  of  pioneer  among  my  people  in  tabernacle 


8 


REVIVALS. 


work,  having  built  several,  and  demonstrated  the 
wonderful  possibilities  of  such  structures.  At 
Chariton,  Iowa,  I  held  the  first  tabernacle  meeting 
the  Disciples  ever  held  in  the  state;  one  hundred  and 
fift3"-six  turned  to  the  Lord,  and  an  88,000  church 
building  was  immediately  erected.  At  Emporia, 
Kan,,  while  pastor,  I  erected  a  great  tabernacle, 
advertised  thoroughl}^  and  gave  Evangelists  Updike 
and  Hawes  2,000  hearers  the  first  night.  These 
temporary  structures  can  be  erected  at  small  expense 
by  borrowing  or  renting  the  lumber,  and  putting 
together  in  the  simplest  manner  without  cutting. 
Tar  paper  ma.y  be  used  for  the  roof,  or  common 
sheeting  with  weather  strips,  A  tabernacle  is  much 
preferable  to  a  tent  in  many  wa3"s. 

It  is  not,  I  insist,  a  question  of  the  time  of  year, 
or  the  temperature  of  the  weather,  or  the  condition 
of  the  times,  but  simply  a  question  of  gettmg  ready 
right,  and  then  carrjdng  it  through  to  a  successful 
finish, 

A  few,  but  not  many,  good  revivals  have  been 
conducted  by  pastors.    It  is  quite  a  fad  now  to  decry 
the  ''  professional  evangelist,"  and  let  pas- 
who    tors  "  exchange  meetings,"    The  result  is 

ShoQld  .  .  „  ,  ,  . 

Conduct  seen  m  an  era  of  small  ingatherings.  Many 
Revival.  ^^^^  cvangclists  havc  quit  the  field, 

and  the  day  of  great  ingatherings  seems 


REVIVALS. 


9 


past  But  I  am  confident  the  churches  will  soon 
tire  of  this,  and  the  professional  evangelist  will 
again  be  in  demand.  Why  not  ?  Our  greatest 
preachers  today  are  evangelistic  preachers.  Many 
of  them  are  men  of  learning,  experience,  rare  con. 
secration,  and  mighty  spiritual  power.  This  is  an 
age  of  specialists,  and  their  specialty  is  the  manipu- 
lation of  great  revivals.  Hence,  by  all  means, 
churches  desiring  a  genuine  awakening  should 
secure  an  evangelist — some  pure,  good  man,  who  is 
known  to  be  loyal  to  the  plea,  strong  in  the  pulpit, 
and  wise  in  his  judgment.  Such  men  may  be  rather 
scarce,  and  may  cost  large  money,  but  they  always 
give  value  received,  and  the  people  are  more  willing 
to  pay  such  a  man  than  some  * '  cheap  John ' '  who 
bungles  everything  he  touches. 

The  right  man  once  on  the  ground,  pastor  and 
church  should  unhesitatingly  turn  everything  over 
to  him,  and  follow  his  directions  faithfully  to  the 
letter.  Then  there  will  be  no  failure.  It  is 
the  uniform  testimony  of  evangelists  that  where 
their  instructions  have  been  carefully  and 
prayerfully  carried  out  meetings  have  been 
successful. 

Every  evangelist  has  his  own  way  of  doing  things, 
and  to  him  it  is  the  best  way.    As  for  myself,  when 


10 


REVIVALS. 


I  consent  to  conduct  revivals,  I  desire,  first 
My     of  all,  a  positive  decision  on  the  part  of 

Way 

of      churches  that  they  want  a  meeting.    I  do 
^it^^   not  want  any  half-way  engagements,  only 
to  be  broken  at  the  last  moment,  thus  dis- 
arranging my  dates  for  months  ahead. 

Once  decided  upon,  a  church  should  commence 
talking  and  praying  about  the  approaching  revival. 

The  midweek  meetings  should  be  full  of 
'^^^    it,  and  the  pastor  should  preach  several 
mittee  preparatory  sermons  on  Sundays.  There 

of 

Ushers,  should  be  several  committees  appointed 
and  thoroughly  drilled  in  what  they  are  to 
do.  A  committee  of  ushers  should  embrace  from 
eight  to  twenty  of  the  most  popular  and  influential 
men  (not  boys)  in  the  church.  They  should  meet 
and  elect  a  chief,  who  will  assign  two  ushers  to  each 
aisle,  etc. ,  and  see  that  they  are  always  at  their  post 
from  the  moment  the  doors  open  till  the  service 
closes.  Anything  but  an  usher  coming  in  late! 
Each  man  should  wear  a  badge  with  the  word 
' '  Usher  ' '  printed  or  painted  on  it  in  plain  letters. 
In  my  meetings,  the  ushers  seat  the  people,  take  the 
collections,  assist  in  preserving  order,  if  ever  neces- 
sary, about  the  halls  and  doors,  and  generally  make 
themselves  useful  as  ' '  chief  spokes  in  the  wheel. ' ' 
One  important  duty  of  the  ushers  is  to  see  that  the 


REVIVALS. 


11 


members  do  not  pre-empt  all  the  best  seats  in  the 
house,  but  that  outsiders  are  adroitly  favored  with 
the  most  advantageous  locations  for  seeing  and 
hearing. 

A  committee  of  three  will  meet  early  and  select  a 
large  chorus  of  singers,  one  for  every  ten  the  build- 
ing seats,  if  possible;  that  is,  if  there  are 
ch^r.  I'^O^  seats  in  the  auditorium,  I  hke  100 
singers  on  the  platform.  These  singers 
need  not  be  fine  musicians,  for  if  so  they  never  could 
be  found,  but  good  young  people  and  men  and  women 
who  can  sing  gospel  hymns  reasonably  well.  I  do 
not  want  people  in  the  choir  whose  sole  ambition  is 
to  "  show  off,"  but  singers  who  are  willing  to  open 
their  mouths  and  do  their  best  to  praise  the  Lord  in 
such  simple,  stirring  hymns  as  myself  or  musical 
director  may  select.  I  do  not  insist  that  all  shall  be 
church  members,  but  am  glad  to  have  non-professors 
and  members  of  other  churches  in  my  choir,  for  they 
will  get  to  hear  the  gospel,  and  many  of  them  will 
be  led  to  the  truth  ere  the  meetings  close.  If  I  have 
a  singing  evangelist  with  me,  I  turn  the  music  over 
to  him;  if  not,  my  custom  has  been  to  lead  the  choir 
myself,  drilling  it  from  time  to  time,  and  singing  my 
own  solos  when  I  want  one.  There  are  not  many 
good  singing  evangelists,  and  a  poor  one  is  worse 
than  none,  to  say  nothing  of  the  extra  expense  in- 


12 


REVIVALS. 


volved  in  securing  him.  Each  member  of  the  choir 
should  wear  a  badge,  and  should  be  in  his  appointed 
chair  at  least  five  minutes  before  every  service. 
Music  of  the  right  quality  and  quantity  is  half  the 
battle  in  a  revival.  There  should  always  be  books 
enough  in  the  pews  for  everybody  to  look  on  and 
help. 

Third,  Hike  a  ''Committee  of  Seventy,"  made  up 
of  the  best  male  and  female  workers  in  the  church, 
old  and  young,  whose  business  it  is  to  go 

c^m-  twos,  and  distribute  tracts  and 

mittee  pi;inted  iuvitatious  throughout  every  portion 
Seventy  of  the  city.  Supplementing  the  same  with 
Workers,  a  felicitous  personal  invitation  to  the 
meetings.  This  committee  will  meet  me 
occasionally  for  prayer  and  consultation.  It  will 
district  the  city  before  my  arrival,  and  make  regu- 
lar weekly  visits  to  every  house,  store  and  shop, 
throughout  the  revival.  Each  member  of  this  com- 
mittee will  have  a  reserved  seat  in  the  body  of  the 
house,  at  an  equable  distance  from  each  other,  so 
quiet  observations  may  be  taken  during  the  sermon, 
and  judicious  personal  effort  made  during  the  invi- 
tation. This  is  a  very  important  committee,  and  its 
work  is  doubly  efficacious — first,  upon  the  unsaved, 
and  secondly,  upon  the  workers  themselves. 

Fourth,  a  committee  on  finances.    It  costs  some- 


REVIVALS. 


13 


thing  to  have  a  great  meeting,  and  it  is  always  worth 
infinitely  more  than  it  costs;  hence  churches 
Tiie     should  prepare  to  be  liberal  in  their  outlay 

Money 

Phase  during  the  revival.  The  preachers  should 
receive  their  salary  every  Monday.  All 
Meeting,  light,  coal,  jauitors',  etc.,  bills  should  be 
paid  up  promptly.  Nothing  should  lag 
behind  in  this  department  of  the  work,  for  the  busi- 
ness world  is  very  quick  to  appreciate  a  religion  that 
pays  as  it  goes.  I  always  teach  a  church  that  it  is 
as  much  a  part  of  its  duty  to  pay  as  it  is  to  pray. 
I  have  little  sympathy  with  those  evangelists  who 
are  too  timid  about  mentioning  money  matters. 
They  usually  get  a  small  salary,  but  they  get  all 
they  are  worth.  We  owe  it  to  ourselves  and 
families  ;  we  owe  it  to  the  pastor  we  are  assisting  ; 
we  owe  it  to  the  churches  ;  we  owe  it  to  new  con- 
verts ;  we  owe  it  to  God,  to  teach  the  people  the 
importance  of  giving. 

The  committee  on  finance  should  prepare  a  little 
pledge  card  and  have  printed  several  thousand  special 
.envelopes  of  a  color  different  from  that  used 

The 

Daily    iti  the  regular  church  work.    This  pledge 
^  pil^n.^^  should  obligate  the  signer  to  pay  so  much 
per  day  during  ihe  meetmg,  and  the  amount 
should  be  deposited  in  the  special  envelopes  nightly. 
Under  this  plan  giving  becomes  contagious,  and  it 


14 


REVIVALS. 


is  remarkable  what  can  be  accomplished.  In  my 
West  Side  Chicago  meeting  a  few  years  ago  the  re- 
ceipts averaged  nearly  1200  per  week.  It  is  si77iply 
the  weekly  eiroelope  system  reduced  to  daily  practice^ 
and  the  result  is  nearlj^  always  that  the  meeting  can 
be  carried  on  as  long  as  necessary  without  any 
further  pledge-taking,  and  the  revival  closes  with 
all  bills  paid  and  money  left.  Ever}^  member,  young 
and  old,  should  have  an  opportunity  to  fill  out  one 
of  the  pledges,  and  the  pastor  should  urge  the  mat- 
ter from  the  pulpit  until  a  sufficient  sum  is  promised 
to  cover  all  expenses.  In  almost  any  average  church 
ten  persons  can  be  found  who  will  give  fift}^  cents  a 
a  day;  that's  85.  Fifty  who  will  give  twenty-five 
cents  a  da}^;  that's  $12.50.  One  hundred  who  will 
give  ten  cents  a  daj- ;  that's  110  more,  or  a  grand 
total  of  822.50  per  day,  to  say  nothing  of  the  small 
change  that  will  be  thrown  in  every  night  by  sym- 
pathizers. Many  evangelists,  especially  those  who 
conduct  only  union  revivals,  where  a  number  of  the 
strongest  churches  go  in  together,  will  not  contract 
to  hold  a  meeting  for  any  stated  salary.  It  is  easy, 
from  the  above  figures,  to  understand  why  they 
prefer  the  collections.  I  for  one  have  always  pre- 
ferred to  contract  for  a  reasonable  amount  per  week, 
in  addition  to  expenses,  and  then  I  feel  free  to  urge 
the  people  to  contribute  liberall}^,  not  to  myself^  but 


REVIVALS. 


15 


TO  THE  CHURCH.  And  then,  again,  if  the  matter  is 
managed  rightly,  the  church  will  come  out  consider- 
ably ahead  financially,  and  everybody  feeling  good. 
It  is  a  sin  to  ask  an  evangelist  to  leave  his  family, 
home  and  books  nine-tenths  of  the  year  and 

Salary       .        ,  .     ,  ,  ,        -  , 

of  give  his  labor  to  the  churches  tor  a  mere 
^^^tf.^^"  pittance,  especially  when  his  best  days  are 
usually  embraced  within  a  short  period  of 
years.  Churches  should  willingly  pay  a  first-class 
evangelist  $50  or  $75  a  week,  and  count  each  Sun- 
day spent  one  week,  just  as  they  do  with  pastors. 
This  is  not  an  exorbitant  salary  at  all  when  it  is 
considered  that  most  evangelists  cannot  stand  con- 
tinuous work,  but  must  rest  from  one  to  four  months 
in  the  year  without  salary. 

Fifth,  there  should  be  an  advertising  committee 
large  enough  to  furnish  one  reporter  for  each  news- 
paper in  the  city.    Do  not  depend  upon  the 

Con- 
cerning papers  to  send  men  around  every  night; 

^^iiik!^^  the}^  will  not  do  it.  But  as  a  rule  they  will 
cheerfully  publish  any  reports  carried  to 
them,  especiall}^  if  they  are  brief  and  to  the  point. 
In  addition  to  supplying  the  papers  with  data  con- 
cerning the  meeting,  this  committee  will  attend  to 
all  the  printing  and  general  advertising.  Churches 
must  expect  to  spend  quite  a  little  sum  in  this  way. 
It  pays,  and  pays  big,  to  advertise  judiciously. 


16 


l^EVIVALS. 


Hang  a  portrait  of  the  evangelist  in  all  the  principal 
store  windows,  and  run  his  cut  on  all  announce- 
ment cards,  not  because  he  is  the  handsomest 
man  in  the  world,  but  because  pictures  always  attract 
attention,  and  it  is  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  get 
the  whole  city  to  talking  about  the  meet- 
Make   jj^g     jsTor  does  it  pay  to  make  a  spurt  at 
Whole   the  beginning  of  the  work,  and  then  stop 

City 

Talk,  under  the  pretext  that  '  *  everybody  knows 
about  it  now;"  but  keep  it  right  up  till 
the  last  day.  Tens  of  thousands  of  bills,  cards, 
tickets,  etc.,  should  be  carefully  put  out  through  the 
committee  of  seventy  (never  through  boy  peddlers). 
The  "Royal  Baking  Powder,"  "Quaker  Oats," 
and  ' '  Battle  Axe  ' '  people  advertise  their  wares  in 
season  and  out  of  season,  and  churches  should  profit 
by  the  example  of  successful  business  firms.  We 
have  something  infinitely  more  valuable  to  adver- 
tise than  they,  and  we  should  not  be  slow  in  getting 
about  it.  The  people  are  just  as  quick  to  read  an 
attractive  religious  advertisement  as  any  other  kind, 
and  I  have  known  one  little  card  to  lead  a  soul  to 
Christ.  Advertising  a  revival  is  one  of  the  fine  arts, 
and  I  urge  a  serious  study  of  the  matter  on  the 
art  of  pastors  and  church  oflBcers. 

Sixth,  the  pastor  should  select  a  committee  of  sen- 
sible ladies  and  gentlemen  to  assist  candidates  at 


REVIVALS. 


17 


baptism.    There  should  also  be  a  commit- 
sundry  ^^^^        platform  is  constantly 

Sugges- 
tions,   decorated  with  flowers.  And  the  members  of 

the  Official  Board  of  the  church  should  dis- 
tribute themselves  nightly  about  the  entrances,  and 
see  to  it  that  all  are  made  welcome,  especially  stran- 
gers. I  commence  my  service  on  time,  and  rush 
things  from  start  to  finish.  A  revival  service  that 
drags  fails  to  revive.  The  sermon  may  sometimes 
be  lengthy  without  dragging,  but  the  introductory 
and  closing  exercises  never.  The  successful  revival- 
ist will  not  allow  his  heart  to  soften  toward  visiting 
preachers,  and  turn  them  loose  for  a  half-hour's  ex- 
ordium, but  he  will  keep  the  reins  in  his  own  grip, 
and  drive  like  a  Jehu  ! 

Generally  I  hold  no  day  services,  and  none  on 
Saturday  nights.    Day  services  consume  energy  that 
had  far  better  be  reserved  for  the  more 
Special  important  evening  meeting;  and  as  to  Sat- 
^Tor°^^  urday  night,  everybody  will  feel  fresher  for 
Sunday's  work  if  they  can  rest  that  one 

Women, 

Etc.  night  in  seven.  Sundays  i  speak  three  times, 
usually  giving  a  lecture  to  men  only,  or  to 
women  only,  or  to  lodge  people,  or  to  laboring  men, 
at  the  3  o'clock  service.  Sunday  is  worth  all  the 
rest  of  the  week  in  making  good  impressions.  At 
the  afternoon  service  admission  is  by  ticket,  several 


18 


REVIVALS. 


thousand  having  been  distributed  through  the  pre- 
vious week.  In  addition  to  announcing  the  subject, 
etc. ,  the  ticket  calls  for  a  free-will  offering,  and  the 
result  is  usually  very  gratifying.  At  Johnstown, 
Pa. ,  I  remember,  the  collection  from  my  audience  of 
1,000  men  amounted  to  $44,  mostly  in  dimes  and 
nickels.  At  Eureka,  111.,  the  ladies  in  their  special 
meeting  contributed  $25  at  the  close  of  my  address. 
My  men's  meetings  are  usually  held  in  an  opera- 
house  or  other  large  hall,  and  not  in  the  church 
building.  In  this  way  I  reach  a  new  set  of  hearers, 
and  the  meetings  accomplish  untold  good. 

I  alwaj's  commence  a  meeting  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing and  close  on  Sunday  evening.     I  allow  no 
outside  lectures,  concerts,  or  socials  to 
The     interfere  with  the  work  during  the  meet- 

Revival    .  .  .    -  , 

Must    mg.    The  attention  of  the  people  must  not 
^hl*   be  divided  if  the  best  results  are  to  be 
Right   obtained.     Under   my  financial  plan  no 
Way.    lectures  or  elocutionary  entertainments  are 
necessary  at  the  close  to  help  make  up 
expenses,  but  the  last  service  is  one  long  to  be 
remembered  for  its  spiritual  power. 

The  pastor  of  the  church  should  always  be  chair- 
man ex-officio  of  each  committee,  and  he  should  be 
the  last  to  criticise  the  evangelist.  Much  depends 
on  the  pastor's  conduct  during  the  meeting.  He 


REVIVALS. 


19 


should  earnestly  second  every  suggestion  made  by 
the  evangelist,  for  it  will  give  him  a  firmer  hold 
upon  the  people.  The  pastor  need  never  fear  the 
faithful  evangelist.  He  is  not  "seeking  his  job," 
nor  trying  to  alienate  the  affections  of  his  people, 
but  to  strengthen  him  if  he  be  a  good,  true  man,  and 
to  make  his  influence  more  powerful  in  the  commu- 
nity. In  my  meetings  I  always  insist  on  the  pastor's 
baptizing  the  converts,  for  this  gives  him  a  better 
hold  on  them  for  future  work. 

Wherever  convenient  I  use  the  "  After-meeting," 
and  consider  it  one  of  the  most  powerful  adjuncts  to 
a  successful  revival.    This  service  is  held 

'^^^     in  an  adioinino^  room  or  basement,  and  is  ^ 

After-  J  &  ,  * 

Meeting,  intended  to  gather  up  the  fragments  from 
the  general  service.  It  is  a  brief,  hearty, 
spiritual  meeting,  and  often  concludes  with  a  number 
of  confessions.  It  gives  the  members  a  better  oppor- 
tunity for  close  personal  work,  and  develops  new 
converts  in  the  art  of  testimony. 

A  real  revival  is  a  "  season  of  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord. ' '  No  church  can  afford  to  do 
without  such  experiences.  Those  who  would  be 
true  to  New  Testament  example,  must  be  an  evan- 
gelistic people.    God  pity  those  who  are  not. 

I  have  said  nothing  about  the  style  of  preaching. 
That  is  the  evangelist's  own  business,  and  he  should 


20 


REVIVALS. 


Preaching. 


The 
Style 
of 


not  be  burdened  with  suggestions  and  ham- 
pered by  criticism.  Let  him  alone  and  you 
will  have  nothing  to  regret  when  he  is 
through.    Depend  upon   it,  the  faithful 


evangelist  will  preach  the  pure,  unadulterated  gospel; 
for,  after  all,  that  is  God's  power  unto  salvation, 
human  methods  and  plans  being  simply  auxiliary. 
No  two  evangelists  are  alike  in  their  style  of  preach- 
ing, but  they  are  generally  a  unit  in  their  determina- 
tion to  lift  up  Christ  before  the  gaze  of  a  dying  race, 
and  to  remove  all  whitewash  from  sin,  whether  in 
high  places  or  low.  So  hold  your  tongues,  and  back 
up  the  evangelist  with  prayer  and  sympathy,  and 
you  will  have  nothing  to  be  sorry  for  at  the  farewell 
service.  The  evangelist  does  not  claim  perfection, 
but  he  does  claim  to  know  more  about  his  own  work 
than  the  average  pastor,  elder,  deacon,  or  oflQcious 
old  maid  in  the  corner.  Therefore  give  him  the 
reins. 

O  for  more  revivalists  and  more  revivals  !  Such 
work  quickens  every  department  of  religious  enter- 
prise— missions,  education,  social  reform,  everything! 
At  least  one- tenth  of  every  year  should  be  sacredly 
devoted  to  local  evangelism  by  ever}'  church  among 
us.  Our  Bible  colleges  should  make  more  of  a 
specialty  of  the  training  of  evangelistic  preachers  and 
singers.    They  are   pre-eminently  the  recruiting 


REVIVALS. 


21 


sergeants  in  the  army  of  our  Lord,  and  without  them 
in  ever-increasing  numbers  and  efficiency  we  will 
never  be  able  to  "take  the  world."  A  message 
without  method  is  the  height  of  imprudence.  Given 
both,  and  the  people  of  God  are  invincible. 


22 


REVIVALS. 


ERE  THE  SUN  GOES  DOWN. 

"  I  have  work  enough  to  do, 

Kre  the  sun  goes  down, 
For  myself  and  kindred,  too, 

Ere  the  sun  goes  down: 
Ever 3^  idle  whisper  stilling, 
With  a  purpose  firm  and  willing, 
All  my  daily  task  fulfilling, 

Ere  the  sun  goes  down. 

"  I  must  let  my  voice  be  heard, 

Ere  the  sun  goes  down; 
I  must  speak  the  loving  word. 

Ere  the  sun  goes  down: 
Every  cry  of  pit}^  heeding. 
For  the  injured  interceding, 
To  the  light  the  lost  one  leading. 

Ere  the  sun  goes  down. 

"  As  I  journey  on  my  way. 

Ere  the  sun  goes  down, 
God's  commands  I  must  obey, 

Ere  the  sun  goes  down. 
There  are  wrongs  that  need  redressing; 
There  are  sins  that  need  confessing, 
If  I  would  obtain  the  blessing, 
Ere  the  sun  goes  down." 

—Josephine  Pollard. 


REVIVALS. 


23 


SUBJECTS  FOR  FIVE  WEEKS. 


FOLLOWING  ARE  A  FEW  THEMES  I  HAVE  USED 
SUCCESSFULLY. 

'  'Jacob's  Ladder;  or,  The  Royal  Road  to  Glory"  (bl'kb'd  talk). 
"Faith:  What  Is  It?  How  to  Get  It,  and  What  to  do  with  It." 
"Halting  Where  the  Road  Forks"  (blackboard  sermon). 
What  a  Woman  Can  Do"  (a  lecture  to  ladies  only), 
"Four  Great  Conversions"  (blackboard  sermon). 
"  When  Will  the  World  Come  to  an  End?" 
"  The  Five  Kingdoms"  (chart  sermon). 
"Where  Shall  I  Spend  Eternity?" 
*'  How  to  Hold  Out  Faithful." 
"The  Conversion  of  Crispus." 
"The  Unspeakable  Gift." 
* '  What  Is  Conversion  ?  " 
"  Repentance." 
"  Prayer." 

"Acknowledgement  of  Sin  Not  the  Whole  of  Repentance." 
"  The  Greatest  Book  in  the  World"  (chart  sermon). 
"  What  a  Good  Man  Had  to  Do  to  Be  Saved." 
"Prompt  Obedience  the  Test  of  Love." 
"Advantages  of  Being  a  Christian." 
".Storming  the  Strongholds  of  Sin." 
"Christian  Baptism  (chart  sermon). 
"  Does  It  Pay  to  Be  a  Christian  ?  " 
"  King  Solomon's  Conclusion." 
"Three  Precious  Invitations." 
"  The  Universal  Invitation." 
"Getting  Right  with  God." 
"  Confession." 

"  Plain  Points  on  Personal  Purity"  (a  lecture  to  men  only). 
"  Lessons  from  a  Lead  Pencil  "  (children's  talk). 
"The  Great  Salvation"  (chart  sermon). 
"Necessary  Adjuncts  in  Soul-Saving." 
"  On  the  Fence,  and  How  to  Get  Off." 
"  Is  Christ  a  Principle  or  a  Person?" 
"Trials  and  Crucifixion  of  Christ." 
"  How  to  Be  a  Happy  Christian." 
"  Jesus  of  Nazareth  Passeth  Bv." 
"  What  and  Where  Is  Heaven?" 
"Resisting  Mother's  Prayers." 
"Prepare  to  Meet  Thy  God." 
"  Excuses." 


24 


REVIVALS. 


A  GOOD  TRACT  FOR  THE  BACK  OF  AN 
ANNOUNCEMENT  CARD. 

The  reader  is  at  libeny  to  reproduce  this  or  any  of  the  following  tracts 
whenever  and  wherever  he  finds  opF-ortunit>-  to  use  them. 


ARE  YOU  A  CHRISTIAN? 

By  GEO.  F.  HALL. 

If  not,  you  are  in  a  lost  state.  No  matter  who  vou 
are,  nor  where  you  hail  from,  you  have  no  hope'out 
of  Christ.  Distinguished  bi^h  cannot  avail  in  your 
salvation;  nor  wealth,  nor  honor,  nor  learning.  '  All 
these  things  are  good  if  consecrated  to  the  Lord,  but 
otherwise  they  are  worse  than  filthy  rags,  for  of  them- 
selves they  can  do  naught  but  intensify  eternal  pun- 
ishment. Why  depend  upon  human  gifts  for  re- 
demption?   Christ  aloyie  coji  sai  e. 

Why  not  become  a  Christian  to-day  ?  To-morrow 
may  be  too  late.  God  has  nowhere  promised  us  an- 
other day  in  which  to  repent.  He  says:  *'Now  is  the 
accepted  time.  To-day  is  the  day  of  salvation  Life 
is  uncertain.  Death  is  certain,  and  ''after  death  the 
judgment.''  Every  time  we  breathe  two  persons  die 
somewhere.  Your  time  may  come  soon.  Are  you 
ready?  At  the  great  Lisbon  earthquake  it  is  estimated 
that  60.CKX)  persons  perished  in  six  minutes.  Few  of 
the  number  were  ready  to  die.  We  ought  to  live 
every  hour  as  though  it  were-biir  last  upon  earth. 

The  terms  of  salvation  are  very  simple.  No  miracle 
is  necessary  in  conversion.  It  is  a  shame  that  many 
theologians  have  thrown  a  cloud  of  mysticism  about 
the  Christian  religion.  But  be  assured,  dear  unsaved 
reader,  that  the  way  to  God  is  clear  and  eas}-.  1st, 
hear  the  Word  {^l^n.  17:5.;  2nd,  believe  (John  3:16\ 
3d,  repent  lActs  17:30  ;  4th,  confess  Christ  (Matt. 
10:32i:  5th,  be  dapiized(  Acts2:SS).  Take  these  five  steps 
prayerfully  and  sincerely,  and  your  sins  will  be  for- 
given: you  will  be  a  member  of  the  Church  of  Christ, 
a  Christian,  and  an  heir  to  eternal  glory.  A  faithful 
life  will  then  insure  you  an  unfading  crown  at  God's 
right  hand.  Will  you  not  accept  the- blessed  invita- 
tation  to  come  right  now  ?  Say  YES.  "Thou,  God, 
seest  me  !" 


REVIVALS. 


25 


Another  good  tract, 

especially  effective  in  a  community  seriously  tinctured 
with  infidelity.  In  a  town  of  25,000  inliabitants  not  less 
than  5,000  Announcement  Cards,  with  a  short,  pointed 
tract  on  back,  should  be  carefully  distributed  each  week 
by  the  "Committee  of  70." 


IS  CHRISTIANITY  DYING? 

Not  if  statistics  prove  anything,  and  they  certainly 
do.  The  January  2  (1896)  number  of  the  New  York 
Independent  (one  of  the  leading  religious  journals  of 
the  world)  contained  a  symposium  on  church  pro- 
gress in  America,  from  which  the  following  interest- 
ing statistics  have  been  deduced: 

Disciples  of  Christ,  increase  in  U.S.  since  1890,  229,966—35  % 
Catholics,  7  kinds,  "  "  "    1,243,568—19  % 

Congregatioualists,  1  kind,  "  "  "       67,229—13  % 

Presbyterians,  12  kinds,       "  "  "      137  872—11  % 

Episcopals,  2  kinds,  "  "  "       60,255—11  % 

Methodists,  17  kinds,  "  "  "      3.52,245—  7  % 

I^utherans,  18  kinds,  "  "  "       78,06i- 6  % 

Baptists,  13  kinds,  "  "  "       67,771—  2  % 

Unitarians,  "  "  "  501, less  than  1% 

Universalists,  decrease      "  '*  3,0136 

At  this  rate,  it  will  take  infidelity  a  long,  long 
time  to  stamp  out  the  religion  of  Jesus.  Never  since 
the  early  days  of  the  Christian  era  were  the  followers 
of  the  meek  and  lowly  Nazarene  so  active  as  at  the 
present  time.  The  gospel  has  girdled  the  earth  with 
a  thousand  chains  of  love,  and  the  old,  old  story  of  a 
Saviour's  sacrifice  is  transforming  the  lives  of  mil- 
lions in  every  clime;  and  when  all  professing  Chris 
tians  shall  get  closer  to  their  Divine  Master,  and 
closer  to  each  other,  in  the  ' '  unity  of  the  Spirit  and 
the  bond  of  peace,"  the  complete  triumph  of  Chris- 
tianity over  skepticism,  paganism,  indifferentism, 
and  all  kindred  evils  will  be  the  more  quickly  and 
surely  achieved. 


26 


REVIVALS. 


Here  is  a  Tract 

I  have  used  for  years  with  great  effect,  especially  in 
communities  where  there  are  many  unconverted  thinks 
ing  men. 


Interesting  Facts* 


Our  lamented  president,  James  A.  Garfield,  Tvho 
lived  and  died  a  member  of,  and  was  for  some 
years  a  preacher  in,  the  Christian  Church,  was  once 
requested  by  a  lady  to  formulate  a  statement  which 
would  give  her  a  more  definite  idea  as  to  our  doc- 
trinal position.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  Mr.  Gar- 
field's statement: 

"1.  We  call  ourselves  Christians  or  Disciples. 

"  2.  We  believe  in  God,  the  Father. 

"  .3.  We  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of 
the  living  God,  and  our  Saviour.  We  regard  the 
divinity  of  Christ  as  the  fundamental  truth  of  the 
Christian  system. 

"  4.  We  believe  in  the  Holy  Spirit,  both  as  to  His 
agency  in  conversion  and  as  a  dweller  in  the  heart  of 
the  Christian. 

"5.  We  accept  both  the  Old  and  the  New  Testa- 
ment Scriptures  as  the  inspired  Word  of  God. 

"6.  We  believe  in  the  future  punishment  of  the 
wicked  and  the  future  reward  of  the  righteous. 

'*  7.  We  believe  that  Deit}-  is  a  prayer-hearing  and 
prayer-answering  God. 

"8.  We  observe  the  institution  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per on  every  Lord's  Day.  To  this  table  we  neither 
invite  nor  debar.  We  say  it  is  the  Lord's  Supper  for 
all  the  Lord's  children. 

"9.  We  plead  for  the  union  of  all  God's  people  on 
the  Bible  and  the  Bible  alone. 
"  10.  The  Bible  is  our  only  creed, 
"11.  We  maintain  that  all  the  ordinances  should  be 
observed  as  they  were  in  the  days  of  the  apostles." 

Do  you  not  heartily  endorse  these  expressions  ?  If 
so,  "  come  thou  with  us,  and  we  will  do  thee  good." 


REVIVALS, 


27 


Mu  Favorite  Tract  for      covers  the  ground- 


What Shall  I  Do  to  be  Saved  ? 


1.  — Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Read  Jno.  3:16;  Acts  10:43,  also  16:31. 

2.  — Repent  — Turn  away  from  Sin. 

I.uke  24:47;  Acts  3: 19;  Acts  17:30. 

3  Confess. Christ  before  the  World. 

Matt.  10:32;  Acts  8:37;  Rom.  10:9-10. 

4.  — Be  Baptized  in  the  Name  of  the  Father,  Son 
and  Holy  Spirit. 

Matt.  28:18-20;  Acts  2:38;  Rora.  6:3-4. 

5.  — Do  all  this  Sincerely,  Calling  on  the  Name 
of  the  Lord. 

Acts  22:16;  Rom.  10:13;  Joel  2:32. 

6.  — Lead  a  Faithful,  Prayerful  Christian  Life. 

2  Peter  1 :5  11 ;  1  Thess.  5:16-23;  Rev.  22:14. 


Dear  reader,  the  above  scriptures  clearly  explain  to 
you  your  duty.  Remember,  they'set  forth  God's  re- 
quirements, not  man's.  This  matter  should  be  taken 
seriousl}',  therefore,  and  you  should  not  rest  until 
you  have  complied  with  every  condition  of  salvation. 

In  becoming  a  Christian  you  have  everything  to 
gain,  nothing  to  lose.  Then  why  hesitate ?  ♦'To=day 
if  you  will  hear  His  voice  harden  not  your  heart.'* 
Decide  promptly,  for  your  eternal  destiny  hinges 
upon  what  you  do  with  Christ.  Life  is  short  and 
very  uncertain.  Death  is  on  your  track.  Get  ready 
for  the  Judgment !  "Blessed  are  they  who  do  His 
commandments. 

Please  study  our  Lord's  requirements  as  set  forth 
in  the  above  references,  and  then  ask  your  conscience 
if  you  have  complied  therewith.  If  lacking  in  any- 
thing, delay  not  to  arise  and  obey,  that  you  may 
have  peace  from  Above. 


the  whole  thing  in 
a  nutshell. 


THE  BIBLE  PLAN. 


28 


REVIVALS. 


Forms  I  Have  Used  for 
Choir  and  Subscriptions. 

CHOIR  PLEDGE. 


I  HEREBY  VOLUNTARILY  PLEDGE  MYSELF  a  member  of 
the  CHORUS  CHOIR  for  the  HALL  HUTTO  REVIVAL  MEET- 
INGS to  be  held  in  our  city,  commencing  

  Unless  unavoidably  hindered,  I  promise 

to  be  present  at  every  service,  and  in  my  place  on  the  platform 
promptly  on  time,  and  to  be  subject  entirely  to  the  direction  of  the 
leader,  PROF.  Ed.  M.  Hutto,  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  work  of 
the  Choir. 

{Name)    

(Pari)    {Residence)   


IMPORTANT.— First— Each  member  will  fill  out  two  cards;  retain 
one  and  return  the  other  to  the  pastor,  who  will  turn  them  over  to 
Prof.  Hutto.  Second— Wear  your  badge  at  every  service.  Third- 
Spend  a  few  moments  in  earnest  prayer  for  God's  blessing  before 
coming  to  each  meeting.  Fourth— If  late,  remain  in  audience  and 
report  to  leader  at  close  of  service. 


A  FREE  WILL  OFFERING. 


I  hereby  pledge  cents  per  day  toward 

the  expenses  of  the  Gospel  Meetings  to  be  conducted 
by  Hall  and  Easton  at  the  Christian  Tabernacle,  De^ 
catur,  III.,  beginning  January  6,  1895. 

Name  


Address. 


♦♦The  Lord  loveth  a  cheerful  giver." 


REVIVALS. 


29 


The  ushers  estimated  that  i,6oo  men  were  present 
at  this  service,  5,000  tickets  having 
been  distributed. 


ADMIT  ONE.        FREE  TICKET 

TO  THE 

Zeetare  for  /T\ei)  Oply 

(boys  under  13  NOT  ADMITTED.) 

Ht  Powers'  Grand  Opera  House,  Decatur,  ill. 

Sunday  Afternoon,  Feb.  4,  1894,  3  O'clock. 

(If  willing-hearted  bring  a  dime  to  help  pay  expenses  of  revival.) 

Evangelist  Geo.  F.  Hall  will  I  Prof.  Hackleman  will  sing 
deliver  his  celebrated  lecture  \        "Put  on  the  Brakes,  My 
on  ''Personal  Purity."  Brother." 

Mr.  Hall  may  be  seen  at  his  residence.  832  \V.  Wood  St.,  from  8  to  10 
a.  m.,  or  at  his  onice  in  Syndicate  Block  trom  2  to  4  p.  m.,  every  day 
except  Sunday. 


The  manager  of  the  building  said  there  were  2,000 
ladies  present  at  this  service,  and  several 
hundred  were  unable  to  gain  admission. 

ADMIT  ONE.        FREE  TICKET 

TO  THE 

Lecture  for  Ladies  Only 

Poweis'  Grand  Opera  puse,  Decator,  ill. 

Sunday  Afternoon,  Feb.  11,  1894,  3  O'clock. 

Evangelist  Geo.  F.Hall  will  (  Prof.  W.  E.  M.  Hackleman  will 
deliver  his  popular  lecture  en-  sing  "Saved  by  Mother's  Pray- 
titled  "What  a  Woman  Can  Do."   |    er,"  an  original  composition. 

(If  willing-hearted  bring  five  cents  for  the  collection  basket.) 
Special  Music  by    Ladies*  Choir  and   Ladies'  Quartette. 

lyittle  readies  under  5  must  stay  at  home  with  Papa. 


30 


REVIVALS. 


Form  for  special  collection  envelope.   An  abundant  supply  of  these 
should  be  found  in  the  racks  at  every  service. 

"The  Lord  loveth  a  cheerful  giver." 


A  Free  Will  Offering 

to  help  bear  the  expenses  of  the  HALL-HUTTO 
REVIVAL  MEETINGS.  Seal  and  drop  in  Col- 
lection Basket.  Always  hll  out  the  following 
blanks : 


Name  

Am't  Date. 


"It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive." 

Sample  Announcement  Card.     This  cut  can  be  secured  from  any 
engraver  at  small  cost. 

Christian  Church  Revival 

JACKSONVILLE,  ILL. 

welcome!  ^rly 

^'^"^"'"'j'  '^^^^^^^^^lI  want  a 

Services  every  night  at  7:30.    Big  Chorus  Choir— Sociable  People— and 
Stirring  Gospel  Sermons  by 

EVANGELIST   GEO.   F.  HALL. 

Although  but  30  years  of  age  this  earnest  man  has  a  national  reputation 
as  an  Author,  Pastor,  Revivalist  and  all-around  Gospel  Worker. 

SERMON  SUBJECTS  FOR  THIRD  WEEK. 

Sunday  morning,  March  17th,  1895,        -       "Christian  Watchfulness." 
Sunday,  3  o'clock,  at  Christian  Church,       I^ecture— ''Personal  Purity." 
(To  Men  Only  ) 

Sunday  evening,         -  -  "Down  and  Up.'"    (Chart  Sermon.) 

Monday  evening,  18th,  -  -  "The  Roman  Governor's  Question." 
Tuesday  evening,  19th,  "I^ost !  A  Soul."  (On  popular  amusements.) 
Wednesday  evening,  20th,  -      "Where  Shall  I  vSpend  Kternity?" 

Thursday  evening,  21st,  -  -  "Four  Great  Conversions  " 

(Blackboard  Sermon.) 
Friday  evening,  22nd,         -         -     "Halting  Where  the  Road  Forks." 
Saturday  evening,  23rd,  -         -      "Resisting  Mother's  Prayers." 

Lecture  to  Ladies  only,  Sunday  Afternoon,  March  24th. 


REVIVALS, 


31 


,000  of  the  following  tickets  brought  out  an  immense  audience 
of  first/class  citizens,  and  gave  us  an  opportunity  to  extol 
the  church  above  all  human  organizations. 


ADHITONE!      FREE  TICKET! 

TO  THE 

LECTURE  TO  LODGE  PEOPLE 

pt  Powers'  liraqd  Opera  House,  Decatur. 

Sunday  Afternoon,  Feb.  i8,  1894,  at  3  O'clock. 


Evangelist  Geo.  F.  Hall  will 
deliver  his  I^ecture  entitled 
"The  Best  Lodge  on  Earth." 


Prof.  W.  E  M.  Hackleman 
will  siug  "This  Way,  Papa," 

an  original  composition. 


Special  Selections  by  The  Large  Chorus. 


4^If  kindly  disposed,  bring  a  dime  for  the  Collection  Basket. 


Use  special  tickets  on  every  big  occasion.  It  is  human  nature 
to  scramble  for  free  tickets,  and  evangelists  should  take 
advantage  of  this  disposition  for  the  people's  own  good. 

At  the  following  service  we  had  nearly  2,000  present, 
fifteen  persons  responded  to  the  gospel  call,  and  nearly 
$3,000  was  pledged  towards  a  new  church  building. 


ADMIT  ONE  FREE  TICKET. 


FAREWELL  SERVICE 

At  the  Christian  Tabernacle,  Chariton,  Iowa. 

Sunday  Eveqing,  Sept.  20, 189i,  at  7:30  o'ciocK. 

Evangelist  Geo.  F.  Hall  will  close  his  Revival  work  in  this 
city  with  an  address  on  "What  Chariton  Needs."  Prof.  Ed. 
M.  HUTTO  will  sing  the  favorite  solo  entitled  "That  Old,  Old 
Story  is  True."' 

If  willing-hearted,  bring  a  silver  dime  or  quarter  for  the  col- 
lection basket.  B.  H.  LINGENFELTER,  I 

O.  E.  PAYNE,  \^°^- 


OtT  In  FORMATION 


GEOHBENEDlcr 


-  /^r%  /73-7  CLAfiH^T. 

§:CV  Ctt/c/ico. 
ENGRAVERS  n^rr^oSS 
SELECTROTYPERS. 


